Ben Zobrist is traded to Royals from Athletics

Utility player Ben Zobrist throws the ball to first base to get an out during a game against the San Francisco Giants on July 24. (Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)

Utilityman Ben Zobrist was acquired Tuesday by the Kansas City Royals from the Oakland Athletics.

The Athletics also sent cash to the Royals in exchange for right-hander Aaron Brooks and minor league left-hander Sean Manaea.

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Zobrist, 34, is batting .268 with six home runs, 20 doubles, two triples and 33 runs batted in. He sat out one month after arthroscopic surgery on the left knee in April for torn cartilage.

Zobrist could fill a void in left field and play some second base. Left fielder Alex Gordon will probably be sidelined until at least late September after straining his groin tracking a fly ball just before the break.

Brooks had a 6.23 earned-run average over 4 1/3 innings for the Royals. He has mostly pitched at triple-A Omaha.

Manaea, a top prospect, has pitched in rookie ball, Class A and double A this season.

Phillies agree to trade Jonathan Papelbon to Nationals

A person familiar with the trade said that the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to send closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. MLB.com reported the Phillies will receive double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta for Papelbon.

Papelbon, 34, is Philadelphia's career saves leader with 123 and is 17 for 17 in save opportunities this season. He is also the Boston Red Sox's saves leader with 219.

Drew Storen is 29 for 31 in save opportunities for the Nationals but will probably move to a setup role because Papelbon made it clear he wouldn't accept a trade unless he was going to remain a closer.

Phillies push back Cole Hamels' next start

Left-hander Cole Hamels is being pushed back one day in the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation and is not scheduled to start until after Friday's trade deadline has passed.

The decision gives Hamels an extra day of rest, and prevents him from getting injured before Friday's 1 p.m. PDT deadline to trade players without securing waivers.

Hamels, who threw a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, remains the subject of various trade rumors.